\Taint\, v. t.
Aphetic form of {Attaint}.

\Taint\, n. [Cf. F. atteinte a blow, bit, stroke. See
{Attaint}.]
1. A thrust with a lance, which fails of its intended effect.
   [Obs.]
         This taint he followed with his sword drawn from a
         silver sheath.                        --Chapman.
2. An injury done to a lance in an encounter, without its
   being broken; also, a breaking of a lance in an encounter
   in a dishonorable or unscientific manner. [Obs.]

\Taint\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Tainted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Tainting}.]
To thrust ineffectually with a lance. [Obs.]

\Taint\, v. t.
1. To injure, as a lance, without breaking it; also, to
   break, as a lance, but usually in an unknightly or
   unscientific manner. [Obs.]
         Do not fear; I have A staff to taint, and bravely.
                                               --Massinger.
2. To hit or touch lightly, in tilting. [Obs.]
         They tainted each other on the helms and passed by.
                                               --Ld. Berners.

\Taint\, v. t. [F. teint, p. p. of teindre to dye, tinge,
fr. L. tingere, tinctum. See {Tinge}, and cf. {Tint}.]
1. To imbue or impregnate with something extraneous,
   especially with something odious, noxious, or poisonous;
   hence, to corrupt; to infect; to poison; as, putrid
   substance taint the air.
2. Fig.: To stain; to sully; to tarnish.
         His unkindness may defeat my life, But never taint
         my love.                              --Shak.
Syn: To contaminate; defile; pollute; corrupt; infect;
     disease; vitiate; poison.

\Taint\, v. i.
1. To be infected or corrupted; to be touched with something
   corrupting.
         I can not taint with fear.            --Shak.
2. To be affected with incipient putrefaction; as, meat soon
   taints in warm weather.

\Taint\, n.
1. Tincture; hue; color; tinge. [Obs.]
2. Infection; corruption; deprivation.
         He had inherited from his parents a scrofulous
         taint, which it was beyond the power of medicine to
         remove.                               --Macaulay.
3. A blemish on reputation; stain; spot; disgrace.